"I never leftyou, damn it, Jase." She rubbed her hands over her face in frustration. "I brought you and Joey everywhere I went. I read every single word you wrote me. I cried when you went overseas." She fixed her eyes on mine and clenched a fist to her chest. "I prayed every day for you; you were on my mind always in here, always. I never left you. I just left that house."
"Tell me why you ran. What happened?" I asked, stepping closer.
"It doesn't matter," she sighed.
"I lost my best friend, my fucking best friend, Charlie, my world, and you won't tell me why?" I asked hoarsely.
"Is this why you dragged me here? To get some sort of answer? I have none. You left kicking and screaming that day. I was the one left behind to face everything on my own," she said, looking down.
"And who did you leave with? How long did you wait before you were wrapping your lips around some other guy’s cock?" I snapped.
"Are you off duty?" she growled.
"Yes."
I saw the slap coming before I felt its sting, but I didn't move. Hell no. Let her break her damn hand on my face. I stood as still and as hard as stone.
Her eyes bulged with the impact, and she grabbed at her hand and cursed. She didn't back down. Her eyes spit fire and she panted for air. "There's not been a day that hasn't gone by that I haven't thought of you. You are a constant in my heart." She brought her hand up and poked a finger into my chest. "No one ever lived up to your memory. See, that's the thing Jase, that person you used to know, Charlie? She died, and the person standing here now, you wouldn't love her if you knew who she was–you wouldn't. So hate me all you want."
"Tell me why you lied," I growled.
"She kicked me out. I was all alone, so I left. There's nothing left to the story. I lied because I wanted you to move on," she said.
Once again, everything faded around us, like when we were kids and I couldn't focus on anything but her. I didn't understand what she was telling me.
My job phone rang, breaking the silent standoff. Bren's number flashed across the screen. "What up, boss?"
"Where'd you get to last night, son? Your boy told me you scored some party pussy," he laughed into the phone.
My fingers curled tightly around the phone, almost crushing it in my anger. "Best pussy I ever had," I said, staring straight into Charlie's eyes. "Call me next party. Yo, that blow was grade A."
Charlie's gaze flitted to the floor and she pushed off the counter, slowly making her way into the living room, practically collapsing onto my couch.
"Listen up; I'm calling to see if you could still pull off that job I was telling you about. Woke up and my girl is gone. She's probably with that dick she's been texting. She needs to go," Bren said.
Here it comes.
Somebody wants her dead. What happened to my sweet innocent girl? The one who taughtmehow to be a good kid? The one who never cursed? The one who made me believe I could be more than what everyone said I could be?
My body shook with rage. Through the open door I could see her sitting there with that gorgeous face in her hands. And every ounce of hate and anger just vanished.
"Yeah, bro. I hear you. I got this. What are you offering?" I asked, trying to sound excited.
"Five grand," he answered.
"Perfect number. They'll never find her," I said.
"Deal, bro. I got that cash at the parlor. When you want to do business?" He sounded as if he wanted it done as soon as possible.
"Tonight? I'll pick you up at nine. We'll go for a drive. That way, no one sees us talking. You tell me what you need. I'm your man. It ain't my first time, and I ain’t ever got caught."
"Sounds good. Later," he said, disconnecting.
"Charlie?" My voice was nothing but a hoarse whisper.
She tilted her head up to look
At me
